NEW DELHI: To address shortage of ammunition for army, their production has been increased by 18 per cent since last year, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said today.

The minister said that after taking charge he has taken the task of stream lining projects and financial planning for the same.

A CAG report on ammunition management had pointed out that the army faced a massive ammunition shortage withreserves that would barely last 20 days of intense fighting.

The army needs to build up its war wastage reserves for 40 days of intense fighting.

"It is a 2013 report. After taking over, we put this on priority and did a follow-up. The Ordinance Factory Board has seen an increase in the level of production by 18 per cent. This has improved the criticality level," the defence minister said.

Parrikar was speaking at a Maharashtra Majha conference, organised by Marathi news channel ABP Majha, to mark a year of the Narendra Modi government.

Apart from Parrikar, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu and Anant Geete, Minister for Heavy Industries, were also present at the event.

The defence minister stressed that financial planning was crucial for the projects announced.

"Since 2005, there were 339 different projects pending at various stages. I ordered the unwanted projects to be closed as they were designed in 2005 and analysed the remaining ones to ascertain which one should be taken forward," he said.

Parrikar also rubbished reports that he was upset with Prime Minister announcing government-to-government deal in case of buying the Rafale jets.

"I was very much on board when the decision was taken," Parrikar said.

In an another interactive session, Union Minister Gadkari batted for toll to provide better services.

The Minister for Surface Transport and Shipping said that 62 tolls have been cancelled in the country of which 16 are from Maharashtra.

"The concept of toll cannot end. If you want good services, you have to pay more. Toll has arisen out of compulsion.

Government does not have money.

"When I was (PWD) minister (in Maharashtra), the budget for the department was Rs 1200 crore and work sanctioned was for over Rs 15,000 crore. Has there been no toll then perhaps the 55 flyovers in Mumbai would not have been completed in 20 years. Bandra-Worli sea link, Mumbai-Pune Expressway would not have taken place," he said.

NEW DELHI: To address shortage of ammunition for army, their production has been increased by 18 per cent since last year, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said today.

The minister said that after taking charge he has taken the task of stream lining projects and financial planning for the same.

A CAG report on ammunition management had pointed out that the army faced a massive ammunition shortage withreserves that would barely last 20 days of intense fighting.

The army needs to build up its war wastage reserves for 40 days of intense fighting.

"It is a 2013 report. After taking over, we put this on priority and did a follow-up. The Ordinance Factory Board has seen an increase in the level of production by 18 per cent. This has improved the criticality level," the defence minister said.

Parrikar was speaking at a Maharashtra Majha conference, organised by Marathi news channel ABP Majha, to mark a year of the Narendra Modi government.

Apart from Parrikar, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu and Anant Geete, Minister for Heavy Industries, were also present at the event.

The defence minister stressed that financial planning was crucial for the projects announced.

"Since 2005, there were 339 different projects pending at various stages. I ordered the unwanted projects to be closed as they were designed in 2005 and analysed the remaining ones to ascertain which one should be taken forward," he said.

Parrikar also rubbished reports that he was upset with Prime Minister announcing government-to-government deal in case of buying the Rafale jets.

"I was very much on board when the decision was taken," Parrikar said.

In an another interactive session, Union Minister Gadkari batted for toll to provide better services.

The Minister for Surface Transport and Shipping said that 62 tolls have been cancelled in the country of which 16 are from Maharashtra.

"The concept of toll cannot end. If you want good services, you have to pay more. Toll has arisen out of compulsion.

Government does not have money.

"When I was (PWD) minister (in Maharashtra), the budget for the department was Rs 1200 crore and work sanctioned was for over Rs 15,000 crore. Has there been no toll then perhaps the 55 flyovers in Mumbai would not have been completed in 20 years. Bandra-Worli sea link, Mumbai-Pune Expressway would not have taken place," he said.

There is an ongoing modernization and upgradation of the countrywide network of 41 factories in which the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) manufactures weaponry, ammunition and equipment for the defence forces by BAE Systems.

The quality of equipment manufacture will improve significantly after the upgrades are over - OFB is also moving to commercial accounting system is the Ministry’s first step towards fulfilling recommendations of Kelkar Committee for restructuring ordnance factories.

There is an ongoing modernization and upgradation of the countrywide network of 41 factories in which the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) manufactures weaponry, ammunition and equipment for the defence forces by BAE Systems.

The “critical” shortage of ammunition in the army, pointed out in the CAG report in May, has been overcome to a significant extent, Defence Ministry and army officials have told the Parliamentary Accounts Committee (PAC).